* Robert Stringham (top photo), who teaches heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) at Edison Academy, has been selected as the Virginia Association of Trade and Industrial Educators (VATIE) Teacher of the Year. This award is given to a Virginia secondary school trade and industrial education teacher who excels at teaching students in the classroom and laboratory as well as making contributions to his field at all levels, including local and state involvement. Stringham received the award at the VATIE conference held in Norfolk in August.

Stringham prepares his HVACR students with training and education for the workforce by using the latest teaching technology and up-to-date HVACR tools, equipment, and
techniques. He provides dual enrollment opportunities for his students through Edison Academy's academic partner, Northern Virginia Community College, and develops lasting partnerships with local business and labor organizations such as Shapiro and Duncan, Croppe Metcalf, and Sheet Metal Workers Local 100, among others.
(view press release)

In addition, two educators from Chantilly Academy, now known as the New Commonwealth Governor’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Academy at Chantilly High School, have also been recognized with awards by VATIE. Doug Wright (middle photo), academy administrator, was named the Outstanding Career and Technical Educator by VATIE for outstanding service to the field of trade
and industrial education. Chris Wyckoff (bottom photo), who teaches construction
technology at the academy, has been named the Outstanding New Career and
Technical Teacher.

Wright was recognized for his efforts to advance STEM and career and technical education by pursuing a partnership with ProFinishes Plus that teaches students green technology in the Automotive Collision Services program. Students are learning waterborne automotive paint technology that, in the coming years, is anticipated to be mandated by both federal and state governments as part of a move from solvent-based paints in an effort to ease the impact on the environment. ProFinishes Plus is working to update the shop with new equipment so that students can learn the new technology in class. 

For more than 20 years, Wright has demonstrated his commitment to K-12 trade and industry education. In addition to serving as administrator of the New Commonwealth Governor’s STEM Academy, he served as an assistant principal at both Westfield and Chantilly High Schools. Prior to that, he was a technology education teacher at Rocky Run Middle, Herndon Intermediate (now Middle), and Madison High Schools.

Wyckoff serves as the carpentry instructor at the academy and works with students from 13 different Fairfax County high schools at Chantilly. His industry experience and connections are visible in his lesson plans, guest speaker lists, and field trip opportunities for students. He serves as a mentor to new teachers and works with Adult and Community Education instructors to ensure that the needs of adult learners are being met with the appropriate tools, materials, and resources. 

Wyckoff, an alumnus of Oakton High School, is a SkillsUSA advisor and has accompanied students to state and national competitions. He has served as the District 5 vice chair and chair of the District 5 Skill Competition. He also serves as a class sponsor and wrestling coach at Chantilly. (view press release)

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* Six Fairfax County Public Schools educators were recognized for excellence and achievement in technology education at the Virginia Technology and Engineering Education Association (VTEEA) conference held in August.  The awards recognize middle and high school programs and teachers providing technology and engineering education of high quality that are learner-centered and relevant to today’s technology.

FCPS teachers and programs receiving recognition included:

• Matt Bechtel and Carl Uccellini, technology and engineering education teachers at Irving, 2012 VTEEA Middle School Program of the Year. 
• Maria Roberts, technology and engineering education teacher at Lake Braddock, 2012 VTEEA Middle School Teacher of the Year. 
• Cara Mosley and David Tamulevich, technology and engineering education teachers at McLean, 2012 VTEEA High School Program of the Year.
• Michael Piccione, technology and engineering education teacher at TJHSST, VTEEA Certificate of Recognition for his work with the National Science Foundation Fellowship Program.

State winners will represent Virginia at the 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association conference in Columbus, Ohio in March 2013.

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